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I picked up a Leica SF24D flash recently to use with my M6TTL. I was thinking about testing it with my Canon EOS R dslr and using its screen to get familiar with the flash without wasting film (I don’t mind if it will only work using Manual mode on the flash).
I think I remember hearing years ago something about TTL flashes not pairing well with some newer “more-electronic” cameras’ hot shoes and possibly frying the camera’s electronics — though my memory’s extremely foggy on that.
Does anyone have any experience using the SF24D on a dslr of any make/model and/or on any digital Leica body?
Would covering the flash’s 3 “TTL connector pins” on its hot shoe with electrical tape (while leaving the main center pin uncovered) be necessary or safer?
Apologies in advance if this is a dumb question.

Hello,
I apologize if this has been answered somewhere before, but I searched the forum (and the web) and cannot seem to find my answer. I purchased a Leica SF24D about a year ago. On arrival, it worked flawlessly in TTL, A, M etc and overall I was pleased.
It has been a few months since I have used the flash and this past weekend when using the unit, it noticed that it exhibited some behavior that I do not recall existing before. When used in TTL (and with 6 bit coded Leica lenses ) I thought I remember that when changing the F-Stop on the lens, the flash would also show the corresponding f-stop with distance on the LCD display on the flash . When using the flash this past weekend, I noticed that when changing the F-Stop on my lens, the flash was fixed on an f-stop, say 2.4. When I changed my lens from 2.4 to 8, the flash remained on 2.4. Overall, the exposure actually looked correct so it appears that that the flash is working. As a test, I adjusted ISO on camera and the ISO did change on flash. I also changed sync speeds in camera, cleaned contacts on lens, replaced batteries in flash etc. I also manually adjusted flash f-stop when in TTL mode (set flash to F8, then lens to 2.4, 5.6, 8 etc) and the exposures continued to look accurate.
Am I just remembering the operation of this flash wrong? I thought the flash f-stop would show the corresponding f-stop on lens when in TTL?
As for A, that is working as expected, same as M.
Thanks for any insights.

I recently bought an X Vario and I absolutely love it. Love the simplicity, love the images. I had a Digilux 2 many years ago, and this reminds me of that fine camera but it's even better.
Then I bought a (used) SF 24D flash, the one Leica recommends in the X Vario manual. I cannot get the flash to operate when it's set to the TTL/GNC mode. The display (on the flash) shows a flashing "A", but the charge indicator doesn't light and the flash will not fire. In the A and M modes, it seems to work fine, i.e., it will fire and recharge. The exposures in the A mode don't seem quite right, but at least it fires.
I tried cleaning the contacts and a new set of batteries, to no avail. I emailed Leica's tech support and am waiting to hear back, but I thought I'd try here in the meantime. Is there some setting in the camera that I have to change in order to get the flash to work in the TTL mode? Or does this indicate a malfunction in the flash or the camera? Thanks.

A few weeks ago my Leica SF 24D flash was not consistently firing. When my light meter started to dim I realized it was my camera batteries causing this and changing them seemed to fix the problem. I only use my flash a maybe once or twice a week, so a few weeks after that the flash wasn't firing again. I changed the batteries in flash but that did nothing. The flash still turns on normal and reads the cameras settings but does not fire when the shutter is pressed. I tried all settings on the flash and multiple shutter speeds on the camera.
Im thinking there is maybe something simple I am totally overlooking but maybe the flash is broken. Does anyone have any idea what might be happening?
Thanks!

Hi
I just got a flash for my M6 classic (the sf24d). I got it from a friend, because he thought it was broken. I sent it to Leica and got a new one in return!
But:
I dont know how to use it with tri-x in semi-sunny daylight (sunny-16 dont work with 1/50th shutterspeed and f/8:)). Do any of you have a few tips to a novice in flash photography?
Thank you.
Regards
Øystein

Sometimes, not always…when using my Monochrom and sf24D in 2nd curtain sync mode I get a black band across the top of the frame. I might have even got one across the bottom as well. It is about 1/10th the frame. 1st curtain…no problems. What gives?